Tim Kaine: Democrats will nuke the filibuster to fill Supreme Court

In a presidential year where the two individuals representing the Democrat and Republican parties are equally reprehensible, many of my readers and listeners are still unsure about what to do when it comes to casting their vote for president.

Those who know me know that I am #NeverTrump and #NeverHillary, which means that my vote will be going to one of the twenty other choices I have in the state where I live–I thought the Trumpettes said this was a binary election–and, most importantly, I will vote down ballot as well. The magnitude of voting down ballot cannot be overstated, because the real difference-makers after November won’t be in the White House, they will be in Congress, state legislatures, and local government.

When it comes to Congress, consider this: contrary to the intentions of the Founding Fathers, many of our Constitutional rights–freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and the right to bear arms for example–could either be saved or overturned by the Supreme Court. This means that the party in charge of the Senate will determine the outcome of these matters, not the party occupying the White House. If Democrats seize control of the Senate, they will rubber stamp Hillary’s nominees; or deny Trump’s if he should win.

In a piece I wrote last week, I mentioned that Harry Reid promised that the Senate would invoke the “nuclear option” and abolish the filibuster rule requiring 60 votes to advance Supreme Court nominees. And while it’s tempting to write-off such statements as the incoherent ramblings of an old, rich white guy who’s been in Congress too long–I thought only Republicans fit that description–consider this quote taken from an interview with VP candidate Tim Kaine by the Huffington Post:

“If (Republicans) think they are going to stonewall the filling of (Antonin Scalia’s) vacancy, or other vacancies, then a Democratic Senate majority will say we’re not going to let you thwart the law. I am predicting that if the Republicans continue stonewall, the I think (a nuclear option) will happen.”

I wonder… do you think Kaine would be OK with the Republicans doing the same thing if they manage to retain control of the Senate? The Huffington Post never asked, but I think you know the answer to that question.

By the way, the nuclear option was used a few years ago when Harry Reid was still the Senate Majority Leader to revoke the filibuster when voting on lower level judges and administration appointments. Ever since that time, Obama has successfully loaded the majority of appeals courts with left-wing activist judges, including the second most powerful court, the DC Circuit. Clearly, the final nail in the coffin would be the Supreme Court.

Regardless of who decide to give your vote to for president–or not–you simply must make sure to vote for candidates and issues down ballot. It’s the most significant thing you can do this election.

David Leach is the owner of The Strident Conservative, your source for opinion that’s politically-incorrect and always “right.” His articles can also be found on RedState.com.

His daily radio commentary is nationally syndicated with Salem Radio Network and can be heard on stations across America.